Word
offbeat
Phoneticsoff·beat, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɔfˈbit/
UK/ˈɒfbiːt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a person who is not part of the main group or who has a very different style. It is often used to describe someone who is a bit strange or doesn't follow the usual rules.
n. a person who is not part of the mainstream or who deviates from the norm. Often carries a slightly informal or slightly critical tone, implying that the individual is eccentric or unconventional.
Examples
“He is a bit of an offbeat character who lives alone in the woods.”
“The festival attracts a lot of offbeats who prefer experimental music over mainstream pop.”
“While the rest of the neighborhood followed the standard architectural guidelines, the offbeats in the area preferred to live in converted warehouses and shipping containers.”
Examples
simple
“He is a bit of an offbeat character who lives alone in the woods.”
contextual
“The festival attracts a lot of offbeats who prefer experimental music over mainstream pop.”
complex
“While the rest of the neighborhood followed the standard architectural guidelines, the offbeats in the area preferred to live in converted warehouses and shipping containers.”
Real-World Examples
“And then an Amazon came, daughter of brave Ares, slayer of men.”
Some scholars wonder whether certain offbeat details could be traces of lost versions that once circulated.” “A full-colour, chapter-book romp for 5+ readers, crammed with delightfully offbeat humour.” Etymology
From off- + beat; not following the beat (e.g., of a drum that sounds out cadence).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/offbeat